Post-Surgical Recovery Bra

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a post-surgical recovery garment. The garment is configured as a bra. The bra is comprised of a right breast sling and a left breast sling. Each breast sling includes a cupped portion. The cupped portions are configured to cup the breast of the user when worn. Each breast sling also includes a shoulder strap that extends from the cupped portion and is configured to go over the user&#39;s opposite shoulder. The shoulder straps each include a shoulder strap attachment that extends from an end of the shoulder strap that is farthest from the cupped portion. The shoulder strap attachment portions are configured to attach to fastening portions located on a rear panel of the bra. The rear panel extends from the cupped portion of the right breast sling, across the user&#39;s back when worn, to the cupped portion of the left breast sling. The bra also includes a thoracic band. The thoracic band attaches below the back panel and below the right and left breast slings. The thoracic band is configured to go around the user&#39;s torso when worn. Additionally, the thoracic band includes a first front closure and a second front closure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bras, particularly to a post-surgical recovery bra.

BACKGROUND

In 2015, the majority of the 290,000 individuals with new breast cancer diagnoses opted to have surgery. Approximately two thirds initially choose breast-conserving surgery, aka partial mastectomy or lumpectomy. (See Siegel, R. L., Miller, K B. and Jemal, A. (2015), Cancer statistics, 2015. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 65: 5-29. https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21254). Currently, there is an unmet medical need for a post-surgical bra that is practical, comfortable and provides adequate support for the wearer.

After a person has undergone a lumpectomy, mastectomy, reconstruction, augmentation, or a reduction their traditional bras may be difficult if not impossible to put on and may be uncomfortable for the wearer. For many it takes roughly six months of care and attention to the breasts post-surgery to completely recover.

After breast surgery a person's range of motion in her arms is severely limited. Traditional bras that have hook and eyelet attachment means may be impossible for the wearer to put on with limited range of motion. Sports bras that consist of a single piece of cloth often require the user to raise both their arms over her head; this would lead to the same problem, limited range of motion making it impossible to put on.

After breast surgery the skin and tissue near the breast may be inflamed and highly tender. Many current post-surgical recovery bras incorporate Velcro® or the like which can irritate the skin of the wearer. Additionally, many incorporate taut thoracic bands that increase pain near surgical incisions

A post-surgical recovery bra is needed that is configured so the user can put it on and take it off herself and that provides comfort for the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a is a front view, from an angle slightly to the left of the wearer, of the bra in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1b is a rear view of the bra in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1c is a front view of the bra in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1d is a front view of the bra in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the bra being worn during use in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the bra being worn during use in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view, from an angle slightly to the left of the wearer, of the bra in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

Further embodiments, features, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the operation of the various embodiments of the present invention, are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention discussed herein is a bra that can be used to provide pain relief to individuals that have undergone breast surgery. In an embodiment, the bra is comprised of a rear panel, a left breast sling, a right breast sling, adjustable shoulder straps, and a thoracic band.

The invention further provides that the shoulder straps extend from the cupped portion of one breast sling and is configured to go over the user's opposite shoulder when worn. This creates a crisscross pattern between the slings.

The invention further provides that the shoulder straps attach to the back panel. Preferably the attachment means is a mechanism that allows the user to alter the length of the straps. In one embodiment there are two hooks, one extending up from the back panel below the left shoulder and one extending up from the back panel below the right shoulder. Each of the hooks attaches to the shoulder strap on the same side of the user via a loop on the shoulder strap. Preferably, each shoulder strap has a plurality of loops to allow the strap length to be adjustable.

The invention further provides that the thoracic band has front closures. The front closures enable the back panel to be smooth and flat which increases comfort for the wearer. The thoracic band is configured to go around a wearer's torso below her breasts. Each end of the thoracic band fastens to the opposite end to completely encircle the user's torso. In one embodiment, the left front portion, from the wearer's perspective, fastens inside the right side of the garment on the lower band. The right front portion fastens externally and visibly on the left side of the garment, again on the lower band. This creates the crisscross pattern with the individual front portions.

The garment is configured as a post-surgical recovery bra that is comfortable for the wearer. In various embodiments, the garment may be constructed from anti-microbial moisture wicking fabric, nylon, and/or spandex to increase comfort and address post-surgical sensitivity.

FIG. 1A shows a garment 1 that includes a right breast sling 10 and a left breast sling 20. The right breast sling 10 is comprised of a right breast sling cupped portion 11 and a right breast sling shoulder strap 12. The left breast sling 20 has a left breast sling cupped portion 21 and a left breast sling shoulder strap 22. In one embodiment, the left breast sling shoulder strap 22 extends across the wearer's torso 3 and over the wearer's right shoulder 4. Additionally, the right breast sling shoulder strap 12 extends across the wearer's torso 3, on top of the left breast sling 20 and over the wearer's left shoulder. The two slings 10 and 20 cross one another and go over the opposite shoulder relative to the breast that they are configured to cup.

The embodiment in FIG. 1A also shows the thoracic band 40. The thoracic band 40 is the cloth directly below the breast slings 10, 20 and back panel 30 encircling the entire torso 3 when worn. The two ends of the thoracic band attach to one another at first and second front closure 41, 42. According to this embodiment, the left front portion of the thoracic band 40, from the wearer's perspective, fastens inside the right side of the garment on the thoracic band 40. In this embodiment the first front closure 41 is visible and includes a hook that extends the end of the thoracic band 40 below the left breast sling 20 and attaches to the thoracic band 40 below the right breast sling 10 on the inside of the thoracic band 40 from the wearer's perspective at a loop. This causes overlapping of the ends of the thoracic band and subsequently the breast slings. When the garment 1 is configured to be worn, the first and second front closures 41, 42 allow the user to close the garment 1 and make the thoracic band 40 taut to provide support. In a preferred embodiment, the thoracic band 40 has a plurality of loops so the user can adjust the circumference for added support and compression based on their needs. The first front closure 41 is not limited to such a closure but can attach by any similar means.

FIG. 1B shows a rear view of the garment in the worn configuration. This view shows how the shoulder straps 12, 22 attach to the back panel 30. According to this embodiment, the shoulder straps 12, 22 each include a back panel attachment 13, 23. Also shown in this embodiment, the back panel 30 has two strap fasteners 31, 32. The straps each attach to the back panel 30 via strap fasteners 31 and 32.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1B the straps each have a plurality of loops. The strap fasteners are hooks extending from the back panel 30 on each side below the wearer's shoulders 4 and 5. The hooks attach to the back panel attachment 13, 23. On each of the straps 12, 22 there is a loop on the shoulder strap that corresponds to the wearer's preferred strap length.

FIG. 1C shows a front view of the garment in the worn configuration shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B as the wearer is making the final attachment at a second front closure 42. This view shows how the breast slings 10, 20 cross one another near the midline of the wearer's torso 3. Additionally, this embodiment shows the second front closure 42. The first front closure 41 shown in FIG. 1A connects the two breast slings 10, 20 and anchors them toward the midline of the wearer's body when worn so that the wearer's breasts are supported. The second front closure 42 allows the wearer to alter the tautness of the garment 1. In one embodiment, the thoracic band has a plurality of eyelets in the portion below the wearer's left breast. The end of the thoracic band 40 below the wearer's right breast when worn, has hooks that correspond to the eyelets on the opposite end of the thoracic band 40. The wearer may adjust the circumference of the band based on her needs and preferences by choosing which eyelets to attach the hook. This is especially helpful if at times the user needs to place bandages between their post-surgical bra 1 and their torso 3. The wearer can release the tension and add more circumference to make room for the bandages. The second front closure 42 is not limited to a hook an eyelet closure.

FIG. 1D shows a front view of the garment in the worn configuration in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C. This is an embodiment of a wearer wearing the garment 1 after the first front closure 41 and second front closure 42 have been attached.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the garment 1 in the worn configuration. In this embodiment the right breast sling 10 is shown on top of the left breast sling 20 where the breast slings cross one another. In other embodiments the left breast sling may be on top of the right breast sling. Additionally, this view shows the cupped portions 11, 21 of the breast slings 10, 20 and the shoulder straps 12, 22. The thoracic band 40 is shown below the breast slings 10, 20 and the second front closure is in the closed position. In this embodiment the second front closure 42 is shown as a hook an eyelet closure where the hooks are extending from the thoracic band 40 below the right breast sling 10 and attach to eyelets on the thoracic band 40 below the left breast sling 20. In alternative embodiments, when the left breast sling 20 is on top of the right breast sling 10 the second front closure 42 may consist of hooks that extend from the thoracic band 40 below the left breast sling 20 and attach to eyelets below the right breast sling 10. The second front closure 42 is not limited to hook and eyelet fastening means but may be attached by any suitable means known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the garment configured to be worn by a wearer. In this embodiment, the shoulder straps 12,22 attach to the back panel 30 by fasteners 31, 32 attaching to the back panel attachments 13, 23. Additionally, the thoracic band 40 is shown below the back panel 30. According to this embodiment the fasteners 31, 32 each use loops and hooks. A hook extends up from each of the top right and left portions of the back panel 30 and attaches to a loop on the outside of the shoulder straps 12, 22 when worn. In a preferred embodiment the attachment mechanisms include a plurality of loops so the wearer can adjust the length of the shoulder straps 21,22 to their preference. The invention is not limited to such fasteners. The fasteners may attach by any reasonable means.

FIG. 4 is a front view, from an angle slightly to the left of the wearer. The perspective in this view focuses on the first and second closures 41, 42 on the thoracic band 40. According to this embodiment the first front closure is a mechanism 41 as described above and the second front closure 42 is a hook and eyelet mechanism. In alternative embodiments the closures may be any reasonable fastening means. In this embodiment, the garment 1 is configured so that when worn the left front portion of the thoracic band 40, from the wearer's perspective, fastens inside the right side of the garment on the thoracic band 40. The right front portion fastens externally and visibly on the left side of the garment 1 on the thoracic band 40. 

1. A bra comprising: a right breast sling and a left breast sling, each breast sling including: a cupped portion wherein the cupped portion of the right breast sling is configured to cup a right breast, and the cupped portion of the left breast sling is configured to cup a left breast of a user, a shoulder strap that extends from the cupped portion and is configured to go over the user's opposite shoulder, a back panel attachment that extends from an end of the shoulder strap that is farthest from the cupped portion; a rear panel extending from the cupped portion of the right breast sling, across the user's back when worn, to the cupped portion of the left breast sling, wherein the rear panel includes fastening portions for connection to each back panel attachment, a thoracic band attached to a lowest portion of the back panel, a lowest portion of the right breast sling and a lowest portion of the left breast sling, wherein the thoracic band goes around the user's torso when worn, and wherein the band includes a first front closure and a second front closure such that an end of the thoracic band below the user's right breast sling can attach to an end of the thoracic band below the user's left breast sling using the first and second front closures.
 2. The bra of claim 1 wherein the back panel attachment of each sling includes a loop.
 3. The bra of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of loops on each shoulder strap attachment.
 4. The bra of claim 1 wherein the first front closure comprises a loop on the inside of the thoracic band below the lowest portion of the right breast sling for attaching a respective hook extending from the thoracic band below the lowest portion of the left breast sling.
 5. The bra of claim 1 wherein the second front closure includes a plurality of eyelets below the cupped portion of the left breast sling for attaching a hook extending from the end of the thoracic band below the lowest portion of the right breast sling.
 6. The bra of claim 4 wherein the second front closure includes a plurality of eyelets below the cupped portion of the left breast sling for attaching a hook extending from the end of the thoracic band below the lowest portion of the right breast sling.
 7. The bra of claim 1 wherein the first front closure comprises a loop on the inside of the thoracic band below the lowest portion of the left breast sling for attaching a respective hook extending from the thoracic band below the lowest portion of the right breast sling.
 8. The bra of claim 1 wherein the second front closure includes a plurality of eyelets below the cupped portion of the right breast sling for attaching a hook extending from the end of the thoracic band below the lowest portion of the left breast sling.
 9. The bra of claim 7 wherein the second front closure includes a plurality of eyelets below the cupped portion of the right breast sling for attaching a hook extending from the end of the thoracic band below the lowest portion of the left breast sling.
 10. The bra of claim 1 wherein the right and left bra slings are comprised of cotton.
 11. The bra of claim 1 wherein the right and left bra slings are comprised of spandex.
 12. The bra of claim 1 wherein the right and left bra slings are comprised of anti-microbial moisture wicking fabric. 